Reggie Lucas

The multi-faceted and multi-talented James Mtume has been contributing to the world of music for some five decades: best known to soul music audiences in particular as the creator of the group Mtume in the late ’70s, his work as a producer with partner Reggie Lucas on stellar recordings by Stephanie Mills, Phyllis Hyman, Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway is just part of the story. As a member of the legendary Miles Davis’ band and born into the jazz royalty family, The Heath Brothers, Mtume’S musical resume is singular, stretching all the way into the ’90s when he was the musical director for the popular TV series, “New York Undercover.” 2018 represents the 35th anniversary of the much-sampled massive Mtume group hit, “Juicy Fruit” and the airing of an episode on Mtume via TV-One’s popular “Unsung” series in the US.

Sad footnote: this phone interview was conducted on May 11 and just over a week later, Mtume’s renowned collaborator, Reggie Lucas passed away. We salute Reggie for his exemplary contribution to the work he did with James Mtume in the band Mtume and as a part of one of the most successful production/songwriting teams of the ’70s and ’80s.